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Conspirator in sarpanch killing shot dead in encounter in Tarn Taran: DIG

Says Noor, a close associate of foreign-based gangsters Prabh Dasuwal and Afridi, was also part of the module involved in plotting the murder of Congress block president Harman Sekhon in Tarn Taran

3 min readAmritsarJan 7, 2026 10:59 AM IST

Four suspects have already been arrested in the Sekhon murder case.

A conspirator in the killing of AAP-backed sarpanch Jarmal Singh in Amritsar two days ago, who was also part of the module involved in plotting the murder of Congress block president Harman Sekhon in Tarn Taran, was shot dead in an encounter with a joint team of CIA staff and Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) near Bhikhiwind in Tarn Taran district on Tuesday, DIG (Border Range) Snehdeep Sharma said.

The DIG said the accused, Harnur, alias Noor, a resident of the Kathunangal area, was a close associate of foreign-based gangsters Prabh Dasuwal and Afridi.

Sharma said, “Acting on a tip-off that Noor was travelling in the area astride a motorcycle, a CIA and AGTF joint team started following him. When our team intercepted him, the accused abandoned his motorcycle and opened fire at them.”

“During the crossfire, a bullet struck a police personnel, but he escaped unhurt due to his bulletproof jacket. However, Noor suffered serious injuries and was rushed to a hospital, but succumbed to his injuries,” the DIG said, adding a pistol was seized from Noor’s possession.

Sarpanch Jarmal Singh, a resident of Valthoa village in Tarn Taran district, was attending a wedding ceremony at Marigold Marriage Palace in Amritsar on Sunday when some unidentified assailants shot him dead from point-blank range, police said. According to eyewitnesses, the assailants, disguised as guests, attacked the sarpanch when he was eating. After a bullet struck him on his forehead, he fell on the table and was taken to a nearby hospital, but succumbed to his injuries, police said.

The DIG said Noor was helping the module involved in plotting Sekhon’s murder. Four suspects have already been arrested in the Sekhon murder case. “During their interrogation, it emerged that at the behest of foreign-based gangsters Donny Bal and Prabh Dasuwal, they had earlier planned to target Sekhon during the zila parishad elections held last year, but could not execute the plan,” the DIG said

The DIG said, “Noor was assisting those who conducted reconnaissance of Sekhon, while he himself did recce of sarpanch Jarmal Singh. Tarn Taran police have been coordinating with Amritsar police to probe Noor’s exact role in the murder case.”

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“Security agencies are also examining his role as a field worker for gangs linked to Dasuwal and Afridi,” the DIG added.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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